Meth increases the amount of dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is a natural chemical that influences mood, body movement, motivation, and reward-seeking behavior.

When you take meth, it hijacks a pathway in the brain called the mesolimbic reward system. This reward system is responsible for reinforcing behaviors that make us feel good.

Your brain naturally releases dopamine after certain activities like exercise, sex, and eating. Dopamine release makes you register that activity as pleasurable and makes you want to do it again. When you take meth, it floods the brain with dopamine. Your brain produces strong urges to use meth again, which may be extremely difficult to resist.

Meth is a stimulant, and you can experience its effects even with small doses.

Short-term effects include:

• Increased attention and decreased tiredness
• Increased energy and wakefulness
• Decreased appetite
• Feelings of euphoria
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat, increasing the risk of heart attack
• High body temperature
• Convulsions

Some side effects, including convulsions and high body temperature, can be hazardous and lead to death if untreated.

If you repeatedly use meth over time, it can cause serious damage to your mental, physical, and social health.

Long-term effects may include:

• Extreme weight loss
• Severe dental problems (meth mouth)
• Itching, leading to skin sores
• Anxiety
• Modifications in brain function and structure
• Confusion
• Memory problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Violent behavior
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

Repeatedly using meth causes changes in the areas of the brain that affects coordination and verbal learning. Long-term meth use can also affect the parts of the brain that relate to emotion and memory. While some brain changes may be reversible, other changes can be permanent. 

Injecting meth also puts you at risk of contracting infectious blood diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C. These diseases can be passed on through shared drug equipment like needles.

It can be hard to spot early signs of meth abuse or addiction.

If you are worried about a loved one and recognize any of the following symptoms, please contact us immediately to speak with one of our compassionate team members. We can offer confidential medical advice and guide you through the next steps.

Signs and symptoms of meth addiction:

• Pinching of skin and hair
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Dilated pupils and inexplicable excitement
• Rapid eye movement and inability to focus
• Lack of sleep
• Wild swings in mood and behavior
• Paranoia
• Outbursts and irritability

The first stage of drug addiction treatment is usually detox which involves removing all traces of the drug and its toxins from your body. 

If unsupervised, detox can be dangerous. When you stop taking meth, you may experience a series of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms as your body readjusts. These are mainly psychological and include fatigue, depression, and psychosis. 

In severe cases, depression and psychosis can be extreme and put you at risk of self-harm, so medical supervision is essential to ensure you are safe.

At Cirque Lodge, detox takes place in luxury, specialist facilities, under the 24-hour supervision of medical professionals. Our staff is by your side to cater to your needs and can prescribe medication to ease withdrawal symptoms if you need it. We make sure the detox process is as comfortable and easy as possible.

Recovery from meth addiction requires more than just stopping using the substance.

It involves identifying the causes of your addiction and developing the skills to overcome them. These causes may be complex or deep-rooted and may have developed over several months or years.

Cirque Lodge offers a holistic treatment experience of personal growth, spiritual development, and self-exploration. We identify and treat any co-occurring disorders and other underlying mental health conditions alongside your addiction. We also invite your family to the center to participate in treatment. We help you rebuild and make a new start in life.

Our program is evidence-based and individualized to match your specific needs. We offer a combination of different treatment options, including:

• Detox
• Behavioral therapies
• Experiential therapies
• Dual diagnosis
• Support groups
• 12-step
• Family therapy
• Trauma
• Codependency
  

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy involves identifying the thought and behavior patterns that underlie meth addiction and developing skills to overcome them. 

With the support and guidance of a professional therapist, you identify the environmental cues, feelings, and situations that trigger you to use a drug. You learn strategies to avoid these triggers or learn techniques to deal with them healthily.

Experiential Therapy

During experiential therapy, you reinforce skills you have learned in behavioral therapy and other sessions through enriching practical activities. Experiential therapy offers a break from direct therapeutic treatment where you can learn and grow in a practical, hands-on way. 

Surrounded by the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, Cirque Lodge offers a series of exciting and unique activities, including mountain hiking, horse riding, and helicopter flights at 10,000 feet. You will rediscover passions, find inspiration in the world around you, and learn to believe in yourself.

Continuing Care

Cirque Lodge also offers an extended care program. Our rehabilitation experience gives you the skills to overcome addiction and maintain abstinence in the years that follow. After you leave the center, we provide you with an individualized aftercare plan to offer support and guidance throughout your journey.

We connect you with 12-step meetings and other groups in your local area to provide you with an ongoing support network. Our alumni program offers reunions, retreats, and events so you can stay in touch with our community and stay connected with the place where you became sober.